Now that the big cutting has begun in the garden, sooner or later many people will ask themselves the question - where should all the clippings go? And then there are the remaining leaves that fell off over the winter and now need to be picked up. What could you do with leaves and green waste in the garden? What could it be useful for or is it better to dispose of it straight away and how?
You can still use at least some of the garden waste instead of throwing it away. After all, it never hurts if what nature gave remains in nature. This is how you contribute to ecological gardening.
Where to put the leaves? How to use it effectively
We usually have to deal with large quantities, especially in autumn. And apart from the fact that it can be quite laborious to constantly rake it, you often don't know what to do with these many, many leaves.
Grow potatoes
Yes, really, it works! For our beloved potatoes it doesn't always have to be soil. In order for the whole thing to really work, it is best that the leaves are already a little rotten. So collect them in a pile and leave them to nature for a while. It's best to do this in the fall of the previous year. Then you can pile up the leaves in the garden and grow the seed potatoes in them.
A big advantage of this option is that as the leaves decompose, they produce heat, which benefits the growth of the potatoes.
Leaves as fertilizer for lawns
The fallen leaves are actually awonderful fertilizer for the lawn– if you use them correctly. You don't even have to rake it up for this purpose, but that doesn't mean you should just leave it lying on the lawn.
- If you simply leave the leaves lying there, moisture will regularly collect underneath them until the next season. This leads to mold growth and makes the lawn sick instead of providing it with nutrients.Instead:
- Once a large amount has accumulated, wait for a few dry days. The leaves should be dry for further processing. Then you can remove the leaves with the lawn mower, which simultaneously shreds them (without collecting them in the basket). These many smaller particles get between the blades of grass and onto the ground, where they can be broken down relatively quickly without the risk of illness.
Leave leaves in the bed and mulch them
Mulching with leaves is a very popular method that you can do in the fall, but also with the remaining leaves that you rake up in the spring. To do this, simply spread the leaves on the ground and around the plants. Organic fertilizer such as cow dung should also be spread over this to prevent rottingthe mulch layerto help and for additional nutrients.
In winter this is great (heat) insulation, so just perfect if you have yourProtect flowers from frostwant. In the warm months, moisture is stored, which prevents the earth from drying out quickly and also cools it. You can also mulch the trees this way. Even potted plants benefit from a layer of leaves.
The whole thing will act more like fertilizer if you first shred the leaves with a lawnmower and then use them for mulching, as they decompose more quickly.
Build a winter quarters for hedgehogs in the fall
A simple pile of leaves with a few branches for weight against winds and protection from moisture is perfectHideaway isn't just for hedgehogs, but also for other small animals. Since these can establish themselves quickly, it is even more important not to simply burn piles of plant parts after they have been in the garden for a while. They will most likely be killed.
WHow to make suitable hedgehog foodfind out here.
What could you do with the clippings?
Before you throw it away, consider whether the twigs and branches would be suitable for one of the following alternatives. Especially in combination with leaves
Use leaves and green waste in the garden - create a Benje hedge
The so-called Benje hedge can prove to be very useful, especially if you want an all-natural garden. Not only because of its natural look, but also because it is a great shelter for small animals and insects. You can find out exactly how to create this type of hedgeread here.
Shredded wood for a layer of mulch
The clippings are tooideal for mulchingfor winter protection or heat protection in summer. All you have to do is chop it or have it chopped for this purpose. Then distribute the shredded wood residues as usual on the beds around the plants. This is also a good way to avoid weeds.
Create paths
Even when chopped, the garden material is suitable for creating garden paths. You can keep your gardening shoes clean in damp weather, especially in larger vegetable and flower beds. It is important that the layer is at least 10 cm thick in order to be stable and provide protection for a long time.
More on the topic of green waste recyclingcan be found here.
What if you want to dispose of leaves and green waste in the garden?
The good old compost heap
Leaves that you have not been able to utilize using the above methods canon the compost. However, because its chemical composition makes it relatively difficult to rot (it contains little nitrogen), it must be mixed with the right garden materials. Because the leaves are strongly compressed and do not lie loosely like other compost materials, less oxygen gets into the pile, which is necessary for decomposition.
When composting, you must therefore compensate for the lack of nitrogen with suitable material. Suitable for this:
- Lawn clippings
- Hornmehl
- compost accelerator
- crushed (crocheted) twigs and branches
Leaves and green waste in the garden from trees into the organic waste bin
The organic waste bin is another option if you want to get rid of and dispose of leaves and green waste in the garden.
Burn green waste in the garden
The burning of plant parts is officially prohibited, but there are exceptions depending on the region. In some exceptional cases, a temporary permit can be granted for a fee, although certain circumstances must be met. It is best to inquire about this with the relevant authorities.
